Comparing Benefits of Green Tea vs Black Tea   

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Drinking tea is a habit that is cherished by many worlds over. Most tea is almost calorie-free, has good compelling flavors, and is generally classified as one of the healthiest drinks out there for consumption.

There are different types of tea in the market today. In fact, one author has been able to identify and document 31 different types of tea.  According to him, listed in his classification includes what he called five true teas that include Black tea, Green tea, Oolong tea, Pu-erh tea, and White tea. Other popular tea types are Chamomile tea, Ginger Tea, Hibiscus tea, Mint tea, and Rooibos tea.

The five types of tea mentioned earlier which are described ad "true" tea are all made from the same leaves or from the same plant called Camellia sinensis.

Note that teas that are not gotten from this plant Camellia sinensis technically, shouldn't be regarded as tea.

The above so far is enough for the preamble. Let's now dive into the topic we have at hand, Green tea versus Green tea.

Both black and green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.

The key distinction between green and black tea is that black is oxidized while green tea is not.

Steps in preparing the black tea include allowing the leaves to be rolled and then exposed to the atmosphere to trigger the oxidation process. This very action causes the leaves to turn dark brown and permits the flavors to accentuate (Khan et al, 2913. Tea and Health: Studies in Humans).

On the other hand, green tea is prepared in such a way as to prevent oxidation and is thus much lighter in color than black tea.

This article explores the scientific studies behind black and green tea to determine which type is healthier.

Shared benefits of green and black tea

While black and green tea differ, they still share some common attributes in terms of the benefits they offer to the users.

Green and Black tea are Cardio-protective - they protect your heart

Both teas have been found to contain a rich supply of protective antioxidants called polyphenols.

Specifically, they contain flavonoids, a subgroup of polyphenols.

Nevertheless, the type and amount of flavonoids they contain vary. For instance, green tea extract contains a higher quantity of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), whereas black tea is high in theaflavins (2Trusted Source).

The high content of flavonoids in black and green tea is believed to protect your heart (Naito et al, 2009. Green tea and heart health).

An animal trial study revealed that black and green tea were equally effective in preventing the formation of vascular plaque (precursor of atherosclerosis) by 26% during the lowest dosage and up to 68% at the highest dose (Vinson et al, 2004. Green and black teas inhibit atherosclerosis).

It was also revealed in the same study that both forms of tea helped reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.

Furthermore, two reviews examining over 10 quality studies each revealed that regular drinking of green and black tea can lower your hypertension (Greyling et al, 2014. The effects of Black tea on blood pressure).

What's more, one other review of green tea extract studies found that people who drank 1ן cups each day are 19% and 36% less likely going to have a heart attack and stroke respectively, compared to those that had less than 1 glass of green tea every day (Pang et al, 2015. Green tea consumption and risk of cardiovascular diseases).

Similarly, consuming at least 3 glasses of black tea could reduce your risk of heart disease by 11%.

Green and black tea boost your cognitive function - Brain-power

Both teas contain caffeine, a known stimulant.

Green tea contains less caffeine than black tea — approximately 35 mg per 8-ounce (230-ml) cup when compared with 39𤩝 mg for the same amount of black tea (Ruxton et al, 2008. The impact of caffeine on mood and cognitive function).

One way caffeine works are that it stimulates our nervous system by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine. The other way is aiding the release of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine (Nehlig et al, 1992. Caffeine and central nervous system).

Thus, caffeine can raise alertness, improve one's mood, vigilance, reaction time, and short-term recall.

Black and green teas additionally contain the amino acid L-theanine, which is not contained in coffee.

L-theanine is believed to cross the blood-brain barrier and trigger the release of an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which results in a relaxed but alert state (Boros et al, 2016. Theanine anc caffeine content infusions).

At the same time, L-theanine encourages the release of the mood-enhancing hormones serotonin and dopamine (Nathan et al, 2006. The neuropharmacology of L-theanine (N-ethyl-L-glutamine)).

L-theanine is thought to balance the aftereffects of caffeine. The combination of both of these substances could even be synergistic, as one study revealed that people who took L-theanine and caffeine together had better attention than when either was used alone (Kelly et al, 2008. L-theanine and caffeine affect human cognition).

Generally speaking, there is slightly less L-theanine in black tea than green tea, though the quantities may differ considerably.

Both black and green tea are great alternatives to coffee for those that would like a mood lift without coffee’s telltale restlessness.

SUMMARY

Green and black tea contain polyphenols that have actually strong antioxidant effects, potentially reducing your danger of heart disease. Also, they both have caffeine to increase alertness and focus and L-theanine, which releases stress and calms your body.

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Green tea contains abundant powerful antioxidant EGCG

Green tea is an excellent source of the potent antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

Whilst green tea extract contains other polyphenols, such as catechin and gallic acid, however, EGCG is considered to be the most powerful and most accountable for the numerous green tea’s healthy benefits (Du et al, 2012. Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) most effective cancer chemopreventive polyphenol in green tea).

Below is are a number of benefits of the EGCG in green tea:

• Cancer. Test-tube studies have discovered that the EGCG in green tea can inhibit the multiplication of cancer tumors cells and cause cancer tumors cell death (Van Aller et al, 2011. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea).

• Alzheimer’s disease. EGCG may reduce the harmful aftereffects of amyloid plaques, which accumulate in Alzheimer’s patients (Wei, 2016, Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates induced inflammation).
• Anti-fatigue. A study revealed that mice consuming an EGCG-containing drink had prolonged swimming times before exhaustion, contrasted with those taking normal water (Teng et al, 2017. Anti-Fatigue effect of green tea polyphenols).
• Protection of the Liver. EGCG has been shown to lessen the development of fatty liver in mice on a higher fat diet (Zhou et al, 2014. EGCG, a green tea polyphenol stimulates hepatic autophagy and lipid clearance).
• Anti-microbial. This antioxidant can cause damage to microbial cell walls and might even reduce steadily the transmission of some viruses (Calland et al, 2012. EGCG is a new inhibitor of hepatitis C virus entry).
• Calming. It may interact with receptors in your brain to exert a soothing effect on your system (Scholey et al, 2012. Acute neurocognitive effects of ECGC).
• Though the majority of the studies on the EGCG in green tea have been carried out in test-tube or animal studies, the findings lend credibility to the long-reported benefits of regular intake of green tea.

SUMMARY

Green tea contains EGCG, an antioxidant that test-tube and animal studies have actually demonstrated can fight cancer tumors and microbial cells and protect your brain and liver.

Black tea contains useful theaflavins

Theaflavins are other forms of polyphenols and they are unique to black tea.

Theaflavins are produced during the oxidation process and represent 3ע% of all polyphenols in black tea (30Trusted supply).

They seem to provide many health advantages — all related to their antioxidant ability.

These polyphenols can protect fat cells from damage by free radicals and may help your body’s natural antioxidant production (Imran et al, 2018. Exploring the potential of black tea flavonoids against hyperlipidemia).

Furthermore, they may protect your heart and blood vessels.

One animal study unearthed that theaflavins can reduce the risk of plaque formation in blood vessels by reducing infection and increasing the availability of nitric oxide, which assists your blood vessels to dilate.

In addition, theaflavins happen shown to significantly reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels (Bahorun et al, 2012. The effect of black tea on risk factors of cardiovascular disease).

They might even promote fat breakdown and have already been recommended as being a prospective help for weight problems management.

In fact, the theaflavins in black tea might have the same antioxidant ability as polyphenols in green tea (Leung et al, 2001. Theaflavins in black tea and catechins in green tea are equally effective antioxidants).

SUMMARY

Theaflavins are unique to black tea. Through their antioxidant effects, they might improve blood vessel function and support fat loss.

Between the Green and the Black tea which one would you go for?

Green and black tea offer comparable benefits.

While they differ in their polyphenol composition, they could bestow the exact same beneficial effects on bloodstream vessel function (Fuchs et al,2014. Effect of tea theaflavins and catechins on microvascular function).

Most research shows that green tea has stronger antioxidant properties than black tea, but one study found that green and black teas exhibited equally effective anti-oxidant capacities (Gadow et al,1997. Comparison of the antioxidant activity of rooibos tea with green, oolong and black tea).

Though both contain caffeine, black tea usually has more — making green the better choice for people responsive to this stimulant. Furthermore, green tea contains more L-theanine, an amino acid that’s calming and that can balance the complications of caffeine.

However, if you’re selecting a caffeine boost that isn't as strong as coffee, black tea is actually a great choice for you.

Remember both black and green tea contain tannins, which could bind to minerals and reduce their absorption capacity. Therefore, tea may be best consumed between meals.

SUMMARY

Green tea may have a slightly higher antioxidant profile than black tea, but if you need a more powerful caffeine buzz in tea, then go for black tea.

The Bottomline about Green and Black Tea

Black and green tea provide similar health advantages, for both your heart and brain.

While green tea may contain significantly more powerful antioxidants, the data will not strongly favor one tea over the other.

Both contain the stimulant caffeine and L-theanine, which has a calming effect.

In a nutshell, both are superb additions to your diet plan.